Physical activity is a fundamental part of the treatment and prevention of hypertension. But do you know which exercises are recommended?

"There is no formal contraindication for each modality, as long as the blood pressure is controlled with medication and the patient is followed by a doctor", explains cardiologist Rafael Côrtes to the newspaper Metrópoles. According to the specialist, the best exercise for hypertensive patients is "what the patient likes to do the most, as this ensures greater adherence".

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In addition to the direct benefits on blood pressure, "physical activity improves the health of blood vessels, increases well-being, improves posture and, consequently, reduces stress and body aches". "Hypertensive people who follow the recommendations for physical activity have a 27% to 50% reduction in the risk of mortality. Even lower levels of activity also bring benefits", defends the doctor.

Walking, running, swimming, cycling and dancing are, according to Côrtes, the recommended physical activities that have benefits proven by the scientific community.

The cardiologist also states that the patient should not train if the blood pressure is above 160/105 mmHg.

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Am I at risk?

Blood pressure categories:

Low risk: 120/80 mm Hg
Medium risk: 121-139/80 - 89 mm Hg
High risk: 140+/90 mm Hg

"There are some exceptions to these categories: for example, for people with diabetes, values ​​for high risk are considered when blood pressure is higher than 130/80", can be read on the CUF portal. For those over 80 years of age, "systolic blood pressure [measures the force with which the heart contracts and 'expels' the blood from its interior] should generally be less than 150".

In addition to being a worrying condition in itself, its appearance can also be associated with other even more serious health problems that can even lead to death.

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